Have you ever wondered what it takes for Pride of the Southland to put on a halftime show? How do they create those amazing formations on the field? How do they know where to go? Where do they find the music? How long do they practice?
Director, Michael Stewart, explains it all in this fascinating interview with Morning Concert host, Melony Dodson. It takes more to put on a halftime show than you might imagine...and the band creates one for at least every home game and then some! As Dr. Stewart explains, it's truly a year-round effort.
With a record number of students auditioning for the band this season (over 570 auditioned), the 155 year old Pride of the Southland is one of the oldest marching bands in the U.S. and has expanded to 415 students. It's quite a feat to learn a halftime show for every home football game. Sometimes the students only have three rehearsals to put it all together (and that's if the weather cooperates)! Such a task requires teamwork, extreme focus, hard work, and excellent leadership from more experienced members of the band.
Pride of the Southland is truly something we Vols can be very proud of.